Sehar Ijaz, Ijaz Latif, Mahlab Ijaz, Amir Ali Choudary, Mehmood Hussain.
Prevalence of Counseling Effect to Promote Spectacle use in Shujabad (Multan).
Ophthalmol Update Jan ;16(4):846-9.

Background: Refractive error is a state in which parallel rays of light are not being focused at retina while accommodation is at rest. Spectacles and contact lenses are used to correct refractive errors. Uncorrected refractive errors cause asthenopic symptoms, strabismus, amblyopia and even blindness. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to check effects of counseling on spectacles use. We create awareness about importance of spectacles and complications of uncorrected refractive errors. Method: This study was conducted from October 2017 to May 2018 at THQ (Tehsil Head Quarter) Hospital, Shujabad. Visual acuity was checked by using snellens` chart and objective refraction using autorefractometer and retinoscope. Subjective refraction was performed with 1% tropicamide eye drops to dilate the pupils to check detail of fundus examination . A total of 50 subjects whose visual acuity was below 6/6, with normal fundus, previously not using spectacles, were included in the study. Then 25 subjects were counseled with their spectacles. Second group consist of those 25 participants in which counseling was not performed.. Follow up of these patients after 15 days to check the effect of counseling comparing the follow up results in counselor and non counselor groups . Results: Out of 50 participants 31 (62%) are males and 19 (38%) are females, 18 (36%) are above 40 years of age which have visual impairement did not use spectacles. 17 individual ((34%) are between 7 to 25 years of age, 15 individuals (30 %) are between 25 to 40 years of age. Out of 25 counselor group 14 (56%) participants came on follow up with their spectacles. Out of 25 non counselor group 3 (12% ) participants came on follow up with their spectacles. Conclusion: The results of this study shows counseling had better affect on spectacles utilization. Counseling create knowledge and awareness in non spectacle users , and motivate them to use spectacles to relieve from asthenopic symptoms .

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